Winter Show opens Tuesday

• Farmall

Two-year-old Gavin Johnson of Davenport, N.D., sits March 1, 2011, in the driver’s seat of the 1951 M Farmall he received as a gift from his grandfather. The tractor was part of the 2011 North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City, N.D. (John M. Steiner / Sun file photo)

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The 75th edition of the North Dakota Winter Show promises to continue the events the annual farm show has become known for. This year’s show begins Tuesday and runs through March 11.

The winter show is expected to provide a boost to Valley City’s economy.

“We don’t have any statistics on how big it is but we know we fill all three motels and keep the restaurants busy all week,” said Stephanie Mayfield, executive vice president of the Valley City Chamber of Commerce. “Close to 60,000 visitors in a week really helps the economy.”

Mayfield said the boost comes at an ideal time for businesses.

“The timing is important,” she said. “This time of year things can be slow but the Winter Show helps immensely. It is definitely an important part of the Valley City economy.”

Tuesday is the official opening of the Winter Show and is highlighted by the old-time tractor pull in the Winter Show Main Arena at 3 p.m. This is followed by the pickup pull, also in the main arena, at 7:30. It is also the opening of the vendor and Ag Challenge displays in both the main arena and the south exhibit building. The Ag Challenge includes displays of similar farm equipment from a variety of vendors.

Wednesday includes a continuation of the Ag Challenge as well as the market hog and classic steer shows followed by the Friends of the Winter Show Social at 5 p.m. at the Eagles Club.

Big and small horses take over the main arena on Thursday with the pony pull at 9 a.m. and the North Dakota State Open Horse Pull at 11 a.m. The big horses continue the show with the draft horse hitch class at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday evening brings a new event to the Winter Show Main Arena with a consignment auction at 6 p.m. for antiques, collectibles and household.

Friday includes 4-H and FFA events such as crop judging, hippology and the 4-H critter corral. Exhibits in the south exhibit building change from agriculture to fun with the Home, Plan & Get-A-Way exhibits set to open at noon.

The evening tops off with the Craig Morgan concert at 7:30 p.m. in the main arena.

Saturday is the first of two go-rounds of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo at 7 p.m. The day also continues the Home, Play & Get-A-Away exhibit in the south exhibit building and the “My Trash Your Treasure” indoor yard sale at the civic auditorium.

Sunday is the final day of the Winter Show with the final go-round of the PRCA rodeo at 2 p.m.

All through the winter show a variety of educational seminars, entertainers and novelty acts take the free stage in the south exhibit building.

Admission to the show and parking are free but several events like the rodeo and Morgan’s concert charge admission. Check the website www.northdakotawintershow.com for further information.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, winter show, news, agriculture, business